Former Janesville video store could be Japanese steakhouse by spring

The Milton ave. site of the former Premiere Video store is scheduled to become a Japanese restaurant later this spring.

JANESVILLE  An Arkansas restaurateur with operations in several states will open Fuji Japanese Steakhouse in Janesville in May.

Dave Piao said he hopes to start remodeling the building at 2235 Milton Ave. in the next few weeks.

The property, owned by Sara Investment Real Estate, is the former home of Premiere Video.

“We chose Janesville because we think the community needs this type of restaurant,” Piao said. “We looked at the population, the incomes and we think it should do well at this location.”

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse will feature hibachi grills and serve sushi, he said.

Guests will sit around 14 grill areas where chefs cook, often with a theatrical flair, Piao said. Trained chefs from other locations will be move to Janesville to run the restaurant.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Lunches will average $8 to $9, while dinners will be about $15, he said.

The restaurant plans to have a full bar and is going through the permitting process. Piao said he hopes to open in May.

“We’re excited,” said Ryon Savasta of Sara Investment. “Any time you can bring a new business to the area, that’s a good thing, particularly given the recent trends of business relocations out of the area.

“We have a business relationship with the operator, and part of the process is looking at the financials and taking a look at the plans. It’s expensive for us to have a failure.”